A versatile, creative, and inventive musician who can record acoustic piano for your project. These pianos include a 1970s Yamaha U3 - The Broadwood Baby Grand is undergoing minor restoration. The audio sample on my profile features raw recordings of the Yamaha U3. My website link features my Broadwood. I also offer MIDI/digital solutions.
A lifelong musician who enjoys piano composing, session playing, recording, and performance.
I have a versatile background and enjoy a range of styles.
Aside from working on my client's projects, I enjoy composing piano pieces and learning challenging pieces to grow in musical knowledge and new techniques that benefit both piano composition and session play. A lot of session recording is piano composition anyway.
My original music has been played on BBC Radio 3 and BBC Introducing.
You can listen to my album on Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5T8Y0Gz4M8hZ7FONQNqmdj
I record stereo with a pair of Oktava MK 12 microphones (options of Omni, Cardioid, and Hyper-Cardioid polar patterns) through a PreSonus Studio 26 Interface.
I learn new pieces via MIDI (Synthesia) primarily but I listen to classical recordings and follow sheet music (casually) to ascertain mood and feel. I'm a muscle memory musician who enjoys playing with a light touch and deep emotion.
My process involves either committing pieces/parts to memory before recording OR playing by ear in a live, jamming setup OR sometimes a bit of both.
Send me an email through 'Contact' button above and I'll get back to you asap.
17 Reviews - 2 Repeat Clients
Endorse Liam McCollum
check_circleVerifiedGreat communicator. His play was professional plus his Baby Grand piano sound was exactly what I was looking for. Audio recording quality was also great that, I had no much need for mixing :) Also, he sent me enough takes that I actually got into trouble deciding while comping haha.. Amazing player! I highly recommend Sassy!
check_circleVerifiedOnce again Liam did an excellent job. He provided beautifully recorded takes on his baby grand piano, with particular attention to dynamics and articulation.
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Liam has provided piano parts for several projects. He has shown a really responsive and positive attitude, and has been very detail-orientated. He is both an accomplished player and a sensitive engineer, and has coaxed some very beautiful recordings from his baby grand piano.
check_circleVerifiedLiam did an amazing job on my song. Besides his in the pocket playing, the piano he records on is warm and vibrant. I plan on getting his input on more material in the future.
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Talented player. Professional and very nice. Great experience working with him.
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Liam is super professional.
Easy to comunicate with and very fast!!!
I'm gonna work with him again 
check_circleVerifiedLiam is such a professional and honest person. It was the first time I worked with him and the experience has been very positive. I look forward to work with him again in future projects.
check_circleVerifiedLiam is a pro all the way around. He goes above and beyond to make sure you get exactly what you’re looking for. His communication and prompt response is impeccable which mirrors his superb piano skills. I highly recommend him!
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Third song working with Liam. Once again he worked hard to get the performance just right and delivered excellent sounding tracks. Great experience.
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Great follow up service. Needed to add a small lead-in fill to his piano part, and Liam turned it right around and delivered a beautiful stereophonic track.
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Fantastic piano player - happy to make changes and work hard to get the part just right and delivered very good quality files. His piano sounds great. Enjoyed working with him.
check_circleVerifiedI needed some piano for a track, and Liam provided with a quick turnaround. He makes sure you get what you need and is great to work with.
check_circleVerified (Client)Working with Liam McCollum was an honor and a great pleasure to me!
I recorded violin lines (arco and tremolo) for his stunning cover remake.
I'd be very glad working with Liam again!
Thanks loads!
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Working with Liam has been awesome--he's very versatile and is a great communicator and has been a ton of fun to collaborate with. Looking forward to hiring him again in the future!
check_circleVerifiedLiam is fantastic to work with! Great communication, quick delivery and provides a truly great piano sound.
check_circleVerifiedEpic job Liam!
check_circleVerifiedLiam was professional throughout the process and laid down a solid piano track. Even went above and beyond creating two versions to give options.
Interview with Liam McCollum
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Einaudi, Daniel Johnston, Thomas Newman, Liszt, Ravel, Debussy, Chopin - I find classical pieces I like and learn them to gain new technical insights that I can apply to my playing and composing
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Send me a message
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: Piano, tuning hammer, pen knife, spare strings, digital tuner
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: My own style which is melancholic, classical, pentatonic, solo piano
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Miley Cyrus because I love her acoustic stuff like Jolene and Look What They Done to My Song Ma
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Less is more
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Indie, rock, country, pop,
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Piano performance and composition - difficult to narrow it down into one, but easy enough to narrow it down into two :)
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: Feel, texture, tone, hooks, melodies, harmonies, idioms, twinkles, ornaments, and more probably
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: Play around and experiment. It's just a process of refinement from there...
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: Oktava MK12 Mic pairing with 3 polar patterns to choose from. I normally go omni when mic'd up to the Broadwood baby grand, then opt for cardioid for the Yahama U3... but it's fun to experiment
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Piano/keys recordings
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: To not quit until you're 100% happy.
I was the pianist in this production
- PianoAverage price - $150 per song
- Keyboards - SynthAverage price - $150 per song
- Turnaround times are dependent on the scale of the project
- I will be in contact and send material to ensure that we're on the right track
- Unlimited revisions until you're happy
- Ludovico Einaudi
- Franz Liszt
- Lou Reed
- Yamaha U3
- Moog Little Phatty
- Nord Electro 4
